Dubai Death: Superbike Racer Held At Heathrow

Former Superbike racer Sean Emmett, whose wife died in Dubai while the couple were on their honeymoon, has been arrested on his return to the UK.

Mr Emmett, 43, had his passport given back to him by officials in the United Arab Emirates months after the conclusion of an investigation into the death of his wife Abbie.

He flew back to the UK from Dubai earlier on Thursday and was immediately arrested.

Mrs Emmett, 27, died in February after falling several floors from a high-rise hotel.

Sean Emmett had been held in Dubai

Surrey Police said: "A 43-year-old man has today been arrested by Surrey Police officers at Heathrow Airport in connection with the death of Surrey resident Abigail Emmett, nee Elson, in Dubai in February 2013.

"The man remains in custody while enquiries continue and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Mr Emmett had been stranded in the Gulf state since his passport was handed to officials during the investigation. Before his arrest, he posted a picture of his newly-returned passport on Twitter, describing it as the "best early Xmas pressie ever".

He later tweeted: "Thanks to everyone for all your messages, my phone's melting!! Flight booked and I'll be landing in Blighty 7.10 tmrw. #bringonthecold."

Mr Emmett last month sent a message of thanks to supporters on Twitter, saying: "Just want to thank each and every one of you that has helped me with support, financial or otherwise. I don't even have contacts for some!"

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woolwich Killing: 'He Was First Soldier We Saw'

A man accused of killing Fusilier Lee Rigby told police he was targeted because "he was the soldier that we spotted first", a court has heard.

In a police interview played to jurors at the Old Bailey, Michael Adebolajo said the 25-year-old was a "fair target" because people joined the army understanding their lives would be at risk.

He told officers that Fusilier Rigby was "like the non-Muslim version of myself" and said the alleged murder was not a "personal vendetta".

Adebolajo kept his head covered with a blanket for much of the interview

During his statement, Adebolajo told police he felt he was "not in control of myself" when he hit the soldier with his car close to Woolwich barracks in southeast London on May 22.

He said he was "not sure how I struck the first blow" but added: "The most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular."

Some of Fusilier Rigby's family shook their heads as the interview continued, with Adebolajo telling officers: "Why make it prolonged? He may be my enemy. But he is alive. So I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head to be sure, you know."

Adebolajo and co-defendant Michael Adebowale were seen on CCTV

The court heard how Adebolajo, who at one stage asked counter-terrorism detectives if he could speak to Fusilier Rigby's family, "did not expect to live beyond that day".

"I did not expect to be alive to go to prison, or whatever," he told police, 10 days after the attack.

Jurors also heard him talk about his political beliefs, describing Conservative and Labour politicians as "filthy pigs" but saying he "admired" Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

During police interviews, Abebolajo also said there was a "war between the Muslims and the British people" and he was a "soldier of Allah".

The court also heard that extremist material belonging to Adebolajo was found when they searched his father's house, including a book called Extreme Islam and a book with a chapter entitled,"The virtues of killing a non-believer for the sake of Allah".

Works by Anwar al-Awlaki, who was described to the jury as a Muslim scholar who was arrested in the Yemen, were among the material, and a copy of the magazine Inspire, which the court heard is reportedly published by al Qaeda.

Adebolajo, 28, and his co-defendant Michael Adebowale, 22, deny murdering Fusilier Rigby, attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder.

The trial continues.

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Weather Alert: 95mph Winds And Tidal Surges

Parts of the UK have been told to expect some of the worst weather conditions for 30 years as a combination of gale force winds and large waves threaten to bring "severe" flooding.

The Environment Agency and Met Office are predicting huge tidal surges within 48 hours that could see water levels breach sea defences along the east coast of England.

Forecasters have warned that sea levels in some places could be as high as in 1953's devastating flooding - when 326 deaths in eastern counties of England and Scotland exposed weaknesses in Britain's flood defences.

Train operators are asking commuters to prepare for delays and Scotrail has cancelled all trains before 7am on Thursday, with forecasters predicting 95mph winds and a dusting of snow across parts of the country.

Areas most at risk include the North Sea coast from Northumberland down to the Thames Estuary and Kent.

The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning - its highest category - to homes and businesses near The Quay in Sandwich, Kent, for high tides at 12.43am and 1.06pm on Friday. At present, there are also 16 flood warnings and 52 flood alerts in place.

The tidal reaches of the River Trent in Nottinghamshire could also be affected.

Hurricane force winds hit the UK, causing widespread damage, in October

On the west coast, from Cumbria down to Cheshire, severe gales and large waves combined with high water levels are also expected.

Environment Agency chief executive Dr Paul Leinster said: "Gale force winds and large waves along the east coast of England are forecast during Thursday and Friday, coinciding with high tides and a significant coastal surge.

"Flooding of some coastal communities is expected and some defences could be overtopped by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a tidal surge.

"Coastal paths and promenades will be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of people being swept out to sea."

If the predictions are correct the UK will experience some of its most severe weather since a storm in October that saw hurricane force winds rip through the south of the country, killing four people.

The Met Office has already issued a flurry of weather warnings, having told people in parts of Scotland and northern England they could face a short, sharp, stormy spell of weather over the next 48 hours.

Sky News weather producer Chris England said: "Damaging 90mph gusts are likely in the far north and northwest, while Scotland's Central Belt can expect gusts of over 70mph."

Meteogroup said the winds will turn more northerly on Thursday afternoon and into Friday, bringing cold air and snow showers down from the Arctic.

England has been largely spared extreme weather so far this winter, though that is expected to change when northerly winds from the Arctic bring freezing temperatures to large parts of the UK with snow showers affecting Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England, north Wales and the east coast from Thursday.

October's storm swept across the south of Britain

Temperatures are due to plummet to as low as -4C (25F) overnight on Thursday in parts of Scotland with the bitter northerly winds set to leave the rest of the country shivering.

The weather is likely to bring a certain amount of disruption to transport services, with Network Rail already bracing customers in Scotland and parts of north and eastern England for delays.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's director of operations, said: "As we saw with the recent storm which affected the south of England, being prepared and on top of severe weather is key to helping us resume normal levels of services as quickly as possible.

"We will be monitoring conditions on the ground closely throughout the night and into the morning and will have teams in place to react quickly to any damage caused by the weather.

"We will keep as much of the network open as is possible however the potential extreme nature of the conditions and the impact it could have on our infrastructure means that speed restrictions and other measures are necessary in the interests of the safety of passengers and our staff."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cancer Survival Rates Are 'Truly Depressing'

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Cancer patients in Britain and Ireland are far less likely to survive the disease than people in most other European countries, according to new research.

Results from the biggest cancer study of its kind show that Britain and Ireland have below average survival rates for nine out of 10 common cancers.

The prospects for women with ovarian cancer were particularly bleak, with five-year survival rates lower even than those in relatively poor countries in Eastern Europe.

One cancer charity called the results "depressing" and the NHS has conceded there is much more work to do.

The Eurocare-5 study tracked the outcomes of more than nine million adults and children in 29 countries, who were diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2007

The prospects for women with ovarian cancer are particularly bleak

Results published in The Lancet medical journal show that across Europe cancer survival is improving, but there are still big variations.

Women with ovarian cancer have a 31% chance of surviving another five years if they live in Britain or Ireland. In Sweden the figure is 44.1%. And even in Bulgaria 33.4% of women survive five years.

Survival for lung and stomach cancers are also markedly worse in Britain and Ireland.

Just nine per cent of patients with lung cancer survive five years, with only Bulgarian patients faring worse.

And 17.2% of patients with stomach cancer survive five years, far fewer than the European average of 25.1%.

Only patients with skin melanoma in Britain and Ireland do better than average, with 85.6% still alive five years after diagnosis.

The researchers blamed delayed diagnosis, underuse of potentially successful treatments and "poor or unequal access" to treatment for the poor survival in Britain and Ireland.

Survival for lung and stomach cancers are also markedly worse

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "This is truly depressing. 

"One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime so this is a big deal and has to be a wake-up call for the NHS.

"There is no reason why the UK should lag behind the rest of Europe when it comes to either certain cancers or survival rates for older cancer patients."

Public Health England has started a Be Clear On Cancer campaign, to raise public awareness of the early signs and symptoms of the disease.

Di Riley, Head of PHE's National Cancer Intelligence Network said the elderly, in particular, need to be encouraged to go to their GP if they notice suspicious symptoms.

"The recently introduced bowel cancer screening programme should also improve survival from colon cancer, and reduce the number of emergency presentations of elderly people with bowel cancer, particularly as we are now screening people to their mid-70s.

"PHE is also doing a trial of extending breast screening for women in their 70s which should go some way to addressing the poorer survival of older women with breast cancer."

Sean Duffy, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: "Our one-year survival figures show that for (lung and melanoma skin cancers) we are now approaching the outcomes of other countries where survival has historically been significantly better than in England. 

"However, we want the best outcomes for all cancer patients and we know that we need to build on the improvements that have been made and do much more."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eurostar: Government's 40% Stake Up For Sale

The Government is to sell its 40% stake in Eurostar as part of a plan to privatise £20bn of financial and corporate assets by 2020.

The announcement is contained in the new national infrastructure plan (NIP) which sets out over £375bn of planned public and private investments to 2030 and beyond.

The plans include a new target for selling off financial assets, doubling the amount from £10bn to £20bn including shareholding in the cross-channel train operator.

It comes just weeks after ministers were criticised for undervaluing the Royal Mail before its flotation.

Ministers have been given a boost by major insurers, who have announced plans to invest £25bn in UK infrastructure projects over the next five years.

Last month Eurostar revealed it had seen an increase in revenues and passenger numbers compared with last summer.

Sales revenue for the period July-September 2013 reached £207m - a 10% increase on the same period last year - and passenger numbers in summer 2013 rose 5% to 2.7 million.

The planned infrastructure investment has increased from £309bn last year to more than £375bn, with 291 of the 646 projects and programmes already under construction.

The decision by insurers Legal and General, Prudential, Aviva, Standard Life, Friends Life and Scottish Widows to invest in infrastructure follows changes in European rules pushed for by the UK which incentivise investment in a wider range of assets.

Danny Alexander will announce the plans

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander will unveil the NIP alongside Commercial Secretary and former London Olympics chief Lord Deighton.

Mr Alexander will say the announcement is a "massive vote of confidence in the UK economy".

"It supports the wider £100bn public investment to rebuild Britain over the next seven years that I announced at the Spending Round 2013. Underground, overground, onshore, offshore, wired or wireless, tarmac or train track. You name it, we're building it right now.

"This is great news for the people of the UK because after years of neglect, the UK's energy, road, rail, flood defence, communications and water infrastructure needs renewal."

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie said: "Scheme after scheme has been announced to great fanfare but then little actually delivered.

"Yet another announcement from ministers about possible future investment will do little to reassure business that warm words will finally translate into diggers in the ground."

Other measures being announced include:

:: The scrapping of plans to create the UK's first toll road for a decade. Motorists will not be charged to use the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon once the improvement scheme, due to start in 2016, is completed.

:: A further £50m will be allocated to redevelop the railway station at Gatwick Airport.

:: A Government guarantee could support finance for the development of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey.

:: The £1bn Northern Line extension to Battersea in south west London will also be guaranteed by the Government.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Armed Forces 'Could Be Run By A Woman'

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The British Armed Forces could be run by a woman one day, the nation's most senior female military officer has suggested.

In her first interview since being promoted, Air Vice-Marshal Elaine West told Sky News that the military is modernising to mirror society and insisted that the UK is not out of date by preventing women from fighting on the front line.

She said: "I wouldn't say we are. It might not be absolutely everything but we are making progress and we are reflecting what is going on in society."

"We've had fast jet female pilots for a number of years going back to the nineties. We have people in Afghanistan at the moment who are there both in the medical profession, but also aircraft mechanics who are flying.

"We've got females now who are flying Apaches. We're about to have females coming through to go on submarines on active service. So this is truly an evolving situation."

However despite more jobs being available to females, only 67% of jobs in the Army are open to women, although the RAF (96%) and Navy (71%) are more inclusive.

Air Vice-Marshal West's promotion was announced in August

The Armed Forces are exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act which is why they are able to restrict women from serving on the frontline.

Asked if she could foresee a day when a woman is appointed Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Vice-Marshal West believed it possible.

She said: "Why not, why not? You wouldn't rule anything out would you? We're evolving with the rest of society, we're no different to outside industry and there are opportunities."

Air Vice-Marshal West's appointment as the country's first two-star ranked women was announced in August.

She is now responsible for projects involving the Ministry of Defence's infrastructure estate, from accommodation buildings to runways and dockyards.

Since joining the RAF 35 years ago as an Aircraftwoman, the lowest rank, she has served in a variety of jobs around the world.

The women's war memorial is just north of the Cenotaph on Whitehall

Her husband was formerly a Navigator in RAF fast jets but has since left the service.

The couple have one son and Air Vice-Marshal West does not accept the idea that a woman must make a decision between a family or a career in the military.

She said: "There are girls I know at the moment, colleagues, who have more than one child, who juggle a huge amount more than I do.

"Yes I had one child, but it is all about work-life balance.

"I think the armed services can provide that. It's challenging, there are occasions when maybe I don't quite get it right. But you know it works and it can work."

Women are still a minority group in the British military. The latest diversity report published in October shows that females make up 9.8% of the regular forces.

Air Vice-Marshal West spoke to Sky's Alistair Bunkall

There are 8,340 women in the Army, 3,010 in the Navy and 4,950 in the RAF, the largest proportion of all three services.

But Air Vice-Marshal West said she had never worried about a glass ceiling for women in the military.

She said: "I've never worried about it. If there has, gosh, I've never truly thought about it. I think it is fair to say that people in the military are promoted on merit and that's really important.

"I don't know anybody, certainly colleagues of mine, female colleagues of mine, that would wish to be promoted ahead of the pack without being promoted on merit. It's really important with that merit goes credibility."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Football Flares: Young Fans Are 'Used As Mules'

By Enda Brady, Sky News Reporter

Children as young as eight have been used as "mules" to take flares and smokebombs into grounds to be set off by adults.

Flares let off at St James Park this season

Premier league officials made the claim as a new campaign is launched warning fans of the dangers posed by setting off flares and smokebombs inside grounds.

And it comes just weeks after an assistant referee was hit on the back by a flare during a Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Liverpool.

A linesman was hit by a flare at Villa Park On October 21

The use of pyrotechnics has risen significantly in English grounds in the past few seasons.

There were just eight recorded incidents during the 2010/11 season across the Premier League, Football League and Football Conference and the domestic cup competitions. But this rose to 72 during the 2011/12 season and jumped to 172 incidents last season.

There have been 96 this season, to the end of October.

"Football fans might see images of football grounds in other parts of Europe full of smoke and light caused by pyrotechnic devices and think that they create a good atmosphere - but they do not," said policing minister Damian Green.

Flares are set off at Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig match

"Flares are very dangerous and can cause severe injuries. We are very lucky that no one has been seriously injured or killed by a flare here for a long time.

"This campaign clearly sets out the dangers of flares and smoke bombs. I want to see the courts taking this problem seriously and dealing in the strongest way possible with fans who still illegally smuggle pyrotechnics into football grounds."

New research carried out for the Premier League found that 87% of fans believe that pyrotechnics are dangerous at matches, while 86% said they were concerned for their safety.

"We have launched this education campaign because we want fans to be fully aware of the dangers of pyrotechnics and realise the harm they can cause to other supporters," said Cathy Long, the Premier League's head of supporter services.

"Pyrotechnics are not innocent fun, they can be very dangerous and there are victims. Fans, club staff and match officials have already been injured, some of them severely, and supporters who bring them are doing so illegally and can face jail and long bans.

Sniffer dogs are used at grounds in England and Wales

"We don't want that, we just want everyone to be safe and able to still come to the game."

The use of pyrotechnics by fans is a relatively new phenomenon in British football, with the trend imported from continental Europe, where the issue is much more prevalent.

Over half of fans have now witnessed pyrotechnics at a match, and 36% have been directly affected, 24% have had their view of the match obscured, 10% have suffered from smoke inhalation and 2% have been affected by heat from a flare.

"We know that St John Ambulance volunteers have treated people for burns and smoke inhalation caused by flares at several football grounds," said Alan Weir, head of medical services at St John Ambulance.

"These cases could have led to disfigurement or other serious injuries so we're advising fans to seek prompt emergency help should they come into contact with a flare to help prevent their injuries from getting worse.

Of the 172 incidents last season, 164 involved away fans. The average age of fans arrested for using pyrotechnics is 20.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ex-Star Editor Hitchen And Wife Killed In Spain

A former British newspaper editor and his wife have been killed in a road accident in Spain.

Brian Hitchen, 77, and Nelli Hitchen were struck by a car on Tuesday while crossing a road in Altea, on the country's east coast.

Friends of the couple witnessed the accident.

Mr Hitchen was editor of the Daily Star from 1987 to 1994 and sister publication the Sunday Express in 1995.

He had also spent time working at the Daily Mirror and the National Enquirer in the US.

A spokeswoman for Northern and Shell, the Daily Express and Daily Star's parent company, said: "Brian was taken to a hospital in a very grave condition and doctors were not able to save him.

"Nelli very sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family at this time."

Northern and Shell digital content director Gareth Morgan paid tribute to Mr Hitchen

"He gave me my break on Fleet Street 20 years ago," he said.

"He was a giant of the newsroom and knew what everyone was doing. He cared about everyone on the paper and he cared about journalism to the day he died."

Daily Express editor Hugh Whittow said he was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

"Brian was one of my very best friends and I am deeply, deeply saddened by this tragic news," he said.

"Brian was talented, funny, generous, full of mischief and everyone loved him.

"He was devoted to Nelli and she was devoted to him, and they both adored their children and grandchildren."

British broadcaster Piers Morgan also expressed his sadness via Twitter.

"Great editor, and wonderful character. Gave me my 1st shift in Fleet Street. RIP," he said.

"My deepest sympathies to ... all the Hitchen family. Brian was a newspaper giant in every sense."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was in contact with the Hitchen family.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pub Stab Victim: Case of 'Mistaken Identity'

A man stabbed to death outside a London pub was a victim of mistaken identity, police believe.

Christopher Foster was attacked while having a cigarette with a male friend in an alleyway outside St Christopher's Inn, in Borough High Street, Southwark, central London.

Witnesses said they saw seven suspects wearing hooded clothing carrying baseball bats and at least one knife.

Emergency services were alerted to the stabbing at about 11.45pm on Friday.

The attack happened outside St Christopher's Inn in Borough High Street

Mr Foster was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, where he died at 1.05am on Saturday.

The unmarried 34-year-old, who had a four-year-old daughter, lived in Walworth, southeast London.

He worked in administration for a firm of lawyers.

A post-mortem will be held at Greenwich.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin said: "At this stage of our investigation, this appears to be a case of mistaken identity.

Flowers were left at the scene of the murder

"I am keen to identify a group of males who were seen running from St Christopher's Inn along Borough High Street towards Elephant and Castle immediately after the stabbing."

Witnesses or anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8345 3865, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She was taken to an east London police station where she remains in custody.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Ninth Body Found

Police say they have found a further body located within the Clutha pub in Glasgow, bringing the total number of victims to nine.

They have also identified a fifth person who died when the police helicopter came down as Samuel   McGhee, 56, from Glasgow.

Detective Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: "We can now confirm that Samuel McGhee died during the incident on Friday. Our thoughts are with his family and friends tonight as they are with all those affected by this tragedy.

"Sadly I can also confirm the discovery of a further body within the site. This takes to nine the total number of people who died on Friday night.

"Our absolute priority has been to locate the bodies of people who were within the pub at the time of the incident and recover them safely. This process takes time, as formal identification procedures have to take place before we can notify relatives and publicly confirm identities.

"We are doing all we can to support the families of those who have lost loved ones. It is essential that we maintain sensitivity and dignity for the families of the deceased."

Emergency services at the scene

She added: "This remains an ongoing investigation and search focused on the Clutha Vaults pub. The site is extremely challenging and the efforts of colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and investigators have been painstaking."

The other named victims include PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, PC Tony Collins, 43, and civilian pilot David Traill, 51, who were killed when their aircraft smashed through the roof of the pub in Stockwell Street.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, was among the six people who died inside the pub when the ceiling caved in.

The four other victims who were in the busy pub have not yet been identified. Police have warned that more bodies could be recovered from the wreckage.

Friends have paid tribute to PC Kirsty Nelis

Mr Arthur's daughter, Celtic and Scottish women's footballer Chloe Arthur, 18, paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing "you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart."

Many of PC Nelis' friends have changed their Facebook profile pictures to a black square cut across by a thin blue line in her memory.

Andrina Romano said: "For my beautiful friend Kirsty and all others involved. You will never be forgotten and I will miss you every day. Rip."

Today, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael will visit the city to meet emergency service personnel before signing the book of condolence at Glasgow City Chambers.

A special service was held at Glasgow Cathedral

On Sunday, a service for the victims was held at Glasgow Cathedral, with Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon among those attending.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have sent their "most heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to the families of those who were lost or injured in Friday's truly shocking helicopter accident in Glasgow".

The Clutha had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the crash happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

Twelve people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A total of 32 were admitted and 20 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Until the helicopter is completely removed from the scene and the right people are in the premises and are able to look through the rubble completely and start to clear it, we cannot say about exact numbers.

The mangled wreckage of the helicopter remains embedded in the building

"No one will be putting pressure on them in terms of time but things are proceeding, we are making progress and I know that people want to be reassured of that.

"It may appear that it's not going as fast as people want. The answer is it's painstaking and it's important that everything there is treated with the courtesy and respect it deserves."

The Eurocopter EC135 Type 2 helicopter involved in the crash was one of many that underwent safety checks as a precaution last year, it has emerged.

Police Scotland said the aircraft was tested on the advice of its operator Bond Air Services last May after reports of cracks on the machines.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Helicopter Crash: Relatives Face Anxious Wait

Families and friends are waiting to hear news about loved ones after the helicopter crash in Glasgow where eight people died.

A "very sensitive and complex" police rescue operation to find potential survivors is taking place at the Clutha pub - where the aircraft came through the roof.

Officers have described it as a "complicated and dangerous" environment.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the helicopter hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

John McGarrigle says he is sure his father has been killed in the crash

Three crew members - two police officers and a civilian pilot - died in the aircraft and five other people lost their lives inside the pub.

Flags across Scotland are flying at half-mast following the tragedy as the Queen says her "thought and prayers" are with those affected.

First Minister Alex Salmond - who called the crash a "black day for Glasgow and for Scotland" - ordered saltire and Lion Rampant flags outside Scottish Government and historic buildings to fly at half mast.

St Andrew's Day events in the city have also been scrapped and a minute's silence has been held at many football grounds.

The helicopter brought down the roof of the pub

With 14 people still seriously injured in hospital, players and fans at Scottish Cup fourth-round matches showed their solidarity and fell silent before kick-off.

Glasgow Rangers and Falkirk players wore black armbands during their game.

A statement from Rangers said: "Everyone at Rangers Football Club is shocked and saddened by the tragic helicopter crash at the city's Clutha Vaults bar last night.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this dreadful incident."

The city's other famous football club, Celtic, also tweeted that their "thoughts & prayers (are) with those affected by this terrible accident".

Flowers are being left at the scene of the crash in central Glasgow

A special service was held at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

"We pray for our city of Glasgow," said Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who led prayers for victims and rescuers.

Special prayers will also be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at 11am at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday.

St Andrew's Day celebrations, due to be held in George Square, were cancelled following the tragedy, while the Scottish Trades Union Congress called off its anti-racism march in the city.

An emotional Gordon Matheson, leader of the city's council, told a press conference: "This is heartbreaking news from the very centre of Glasgow.

Rangers and Falkirk were two of the teams to remember the victims

"The people of Glasgow are praying for and doing everything they can to support the families and those most directly affected by this tragedy."

More than 100 people were inside the pub watching a band when the helicopter brought down the venue's roof on the banks of the River Clyde.

Political leaders have also expressed their solidarity with those involved.

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

The Archbishop of Glasgow held a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want to pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help."

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute to local people.

Mr Salmond said: "All of us have seen over the last few hours, the speed and effectiveness of the mobilisation of the emergency services in dealing with this tragedy.

"We've also heard of the instinctive courage of ordinary Glaswegians going to assist their fellow citizens in extremity.

"This is a black day for Glasgow and for Scotland. Our condolences go to those who will be bereaved, our solidarity with those who have been injured."

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Police Name A Victim

Police have named 48-year-old Gary Arthur from Paisley as one of the eight people killed in a helicopter crash in central Glasgow.

His body was recovered from the scene where the police aircraft came through the roof of The Clutha pub in Stockwell Street.

The three aircraft crew - two officers and a civilian pilot - were among those killed on Friday night.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash

Mr Arthur was one of five other people who lost their lives in the busy bar after the crash caused the pub roof to collapse.

The venue had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the crash happened at 10.25pm.

Mr Arthur's daughter, Chloe, plays for Celtic Women's first-team. The football club said the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic were with the family - and the families of all of the victims of the tragedy - "at this desperately sad time".

Celtic Women's Manager, David Haley, said: "This is devastating for Chloe and her family. It is a tragedy that Chloe's father was one of eight innocent victims in this terrible accident - he was regularly seen at Celtic matches, watching his daughter."

A nine-piece local ska band were on stage when the aircraft hit the roof

Some 14 people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A total of 32 were admitted and 18 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

Police said: "Extensive efforts continue to recover the remaining bodies from the scene, but due to ongoing safety constraints this is likely to take some time."

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed

Emergency services including police officers, firefighters and search and rescue teams with dogs remain at the site on the banks of the River Clyde.

They are expected to continue working through the night to recover the remaining bodies from the scene, and stabilise the building which has been deemed unsafe following the crash.

The mangled wreckage of the aircraft remains embedded in the middle of the pub.

It is now known how many people are still inside the building.

A police officer lays flowers at the crash scene

Sir Stephen House, Chief Constable of Police Scotland, said rescuers were working in a "complicated and dangerous" environment and that the rescue operation would go on for many days yet.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Witnesses said the helicopter came down "like a stone" from the sky at "a great speed", while some suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Relatives console each other at the site

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub at the time, told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band. And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down."

John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

As families anxiously wait to hear news about their loved ones, special prayers will be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday.

A minute´s silence will also be held later before Celtic´s Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Senior public figures including the Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond have expressed their condolences to those caught up in the tragedy.

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